Candidate for Vice President/President-Elect

Theresa Clifford, MSN, RN, CPAN

Terry is a PACU staff nurse and perianesthesia educator at Mercy Hospital in Portland, ME.  Her professional involvement at Mercy includes chair of Research Council, chair of the Surgical Care Improvement Project Council; membership in the Professional Advancement Council, Magnet Leadership Council, Magnet Steering Committee, PICIS (perianesthesia electronic documentation) Implementation Team Lead, Fore River Communication Team, Clinical Quality Steering Council; Unit Based Quality Improvement Coordinator, member of Unit Based Practice Council and clinical resource (charge) nurse.  Terry served MESPAN as president in 1999-2000 and as an ad hoc member of the Education Committee.  She currently serves ASPAN as Director for Clinical Practice.  She is a past Region IV Director, chair of Standards & Guidelines Committee, member of Evidence Based Practice, Safety, Strategic Planning, Standards & Guidelines, Perianesthesia Data Elements Committees, as well as a member of the Staffing SWT.  Terry is also a contributing peer reviewer for Breathline and JoPAN as well as a contributing author.  She lectures across the country on perianesthesia clinical practice topics.

Membership and Organizational Affiliations:

ASPAN, MESPAN, Kappa Zeta-at-Large Chapter/Sigma Theta Tau, CPAN

Upon review of ASPAN’s Strategic Plan and our B.A.G., describe your vision as a national leader to keep the organization current and relevant in the existing healthcare environment to meet the needs of the membership.  How will you assure ASPAN is strategically positioned to accomplish our goals and objectives?

The strength and definition of perianesthesia nursing continues to be shaped by nurses who practice in a wide variety of perianesthesia practice environments.  Regardless of the perianesthesia role -- clinical, educational, research, management -- the ability of perianesthesia nurses to positively and proactively respond to the external and internal forces influencing healthcare today is critical for supporting enhanced processes, best practices and optimal outcomes.  As ASPAN President, I would collaborate to ensure that strategic players of our organization and practice engage principles of teamwork necessary to keep ASPAN recognized as the leading perianesthesia nursing association.  I would work to define, encourage and support balance for the organization, charters and perianesthesia nurses.  As an ASPAN leader, I anticipate celebrating the strengths and achievements of our specialty, embracing the solid foundation of ASPAN and positioning the organization for a safe and joyful journey into the future.  I look forward to ongoing service to ASPAN.